Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/370

 unlettered men,  and  He  discoursed  of  true  happiness. Accompany the  multitude,  and  seating  yourself  in  spirit at the  feet  of  so  great  a  Master,  listen  attentively  to  His instruction; say  with  young  Samuel,  "Speak  Lord,  for Thy  servant  heareth." (1 Kings,  iii.  10.)

II. In the  sermon,  Christ  performed  not  only  the  office of a  teacher,  but  also  that  of  a  law-giver,  for  He  explained the ancient  and  published  the  new  law. " It  was  said  to them  of  old,  thou  shalt  not  kill,  but  I  say  to  you,  that whosoever  is  angry  with  his  brother,  shall  be  guilty  of  the judgment." (Matt. v.  21.)  Reverence,  then  this  Divine Lawgiver, and  thank  Him  for  His  sublime  precepts. Entreat Him  to  imprint  His  holy  law  in  your  heart;  and say with  David,  "  Set  before  me  for  a  law,  the  way  of Thy  justifications,  O  Lord,  and  I  will  always  seek  after it." (Ps. cxviii.  33.)

III. He acted  also  as  a  counsellor,  by  exhorting  His hearers to  aspire  to  the  greatest  perfection,  even  beyond the obligation  of  the  law. Such points  of  counsel  were, to turn  the  other  cheek  to  the  striker;  to  suffer  the  man that takes  the  coat,  to  take  the  cloak  also;  and  to  go  two miles with  the  person,  who  forces  you  to  go  one. Reflect on the  justice  of  these  counsels. They are  given  by  Him, "in Whom  are  hidden  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and knowledge,"  (Colos.  ii.  3.)  and  Who  is  pronounced  by Isaias  to  be  "  the  counsellor  by  excellence." (Is. ix.  6.)

I. Every  human  being  is  continually  panting  for  happiness, the  good  and  the  wicked  are  alike  desirous  of gaining  it:  but  they  seek  for  it  by  different  means.